Well, it looks like Netflix streaming has finally arrived on the best media center software for the Mac. All you need is a Netflix account, the latest version of Plex (0.7.14) and Silverlight from Microsoft. The Netflix plug-in (available in the Plex App Store) looks awesome too. I'm talking tons of fanart, high-resolution movie posters and detailed metadata. You won't be disappointed.

I didn't realize how much I've wanted software like this, since I started trying to make my own HTPC in about 2004, until I tried Plex two days ago. The fact that its running on a computer fades away - like a proprietary set top box - yet it provides fairly simple access to your own media collections and its apps provide fairly easy access to some of the web's best content. It also performs better. The interface is far more responsive that Apple's own Front Row without Front Row's frustrating control lag. I swear that I see less (as in, none) video skipping and apparent buffering issues when viewing Hulu shows through Plex than I do in a browser on the same machine, though I can't explain why. Great job Plex and XMBC contributors. Keep up the good work._________________Core Duo Mac Mini
512 MB -> 2 GB RAM, what a difference!

The Netflix plug-in works like a charm. Man, this app just keeps getting better and better all the time. I wish these guys had been around a few years ago. I wasted so much time monkeying around with MediaCentral and CenterStage. Now I just sit back, relax and click away. I would still like to see Apple do something better with Front Row, but I can't imagine ever using another media center. It's just the best out there._________________My Setup

I previously gave up on Plex because I couldn't figure out how to add content. I'm not stupid -- I've been using Macs since 1988, but this program made me pull my hair out.

I took another crack at it for Netflix and Hulu support. It took me an hour to figure out that you have to add apps to get them to work. It would be nice if instructions other than videos came with the program. Anyway, hulu and Netflix support is much better than that of Understudy in Front Row, though Plex can be somewhat unresponsive at times.

I think Plex was a little confusing at first, but the menus and stuff seem to make more sense now. It also seems to work better with iTunes. Plus, that App Store stuff is really slick. I'm not a big user, but I can see why people really like it.

Those who have gotten NetFlix working on Plex, are you using a pre-'09 Mini? I can't get it to work on my Mini, but it works fine on the MacBook. Everything else works in Plex except NetFlix. I'm trying to figure out whats different about my Mini that wont allow it to run. I posted on the Plex forum and it seems a few of us are having the same or similar problem, but can't figure out why._________________ Mercury TiBook 400MHz, 1GB RAM, 120GB HD, Airport
Mini 2.16GHz C2D, 2GB RAM, 320GB 72k RPM HD, 1TB External, Slingbox
BlackBook 2.2GHz C2D, 4GB RAM, 320GB 72k RPM HD
Mini 2.0GHz (Early 2009), 4GB RAM, 320GB 72k RPM HD

Those who have gotten NetFlix working on Plex, are you using a pre-'09 Mini? I can't get it to work on my Mini, but it works fine on the MacBook. Everything else works in Plex except NetFlix. I'm trying to figure out whats different about my Mini that wont allow it to run. I posted on the Plex forum and it seems a few of us are having the same or similar problem, but can't figure out why.

I don't know if you've tried this or not yet, but..

Temporarily move the Plex Application and the ~>Library>Application Support>Plex and Plex MediaServer folders to some place safe,
then try downloading and installing a fresh version of Plex, and install NetFlix again. See if that works. Sometimes a setting can get F'd up in the App support folder, and won't change. If it does, you can then trade out your userdata folder to get back your Library. If not, just trash the new app and folders and put the originals back.

This is awesome. I just installed Plex for the first time, set up the Hulu app, and, wow, away I go. Very cool.

When opening a clip on Hulu using a standard web browser, one usually can choose between standard and high definition. However, I don't see that option when Plex opens it, and have a feeling it is standard def. Does anyone know how to toggle this?

Cheers,
betty

OOPS. Wrong thread. Sorry. Well, does anyone know the answer to this anyway?

Last edited by betty on Sat Apr 11, 2009 11:42 am; edited 1 time in total